Abstract: A laser diode drive system configured to output a drive signal to control a voltage provided to a laser diode can include a circuit sensor system configured to output a sensed signal indicative of a drive current of a laser diode, and a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the laser diode or an ambient temperature of the laser diode. The system can include a temperature compensation system configured to output a correction signal based on the temperature signal to compensate for a temperature dependent factor in the sensed signal.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a sensing system includes a sensor mat configured to conform to a component having a central axis, a first sensor cluster disposed on or in the sensor mat configured to sense one or more conditions at a first location on the component, and a second sensor cluster disposed on or in the sensor mat configured to sense one or more conditions at a second location circumferentially spaced to the first location. In embodiments, the second location can be diametrically opposed to the first location.

Abstract: A system includes an illuminator. A first end of an optic fiber is operatively connected to the illuminator for transmitting illumination along the length of the optic fiber. An optical sensor operatively connected to the second end for reflecting sensor returns of the illumination back along the length of the optic fiber. A set of fiber Bragg grating (FBGs) is formed in the optic fiber between the first end and the optical sensor. A delay span is included in the optic fiber between the FBGs and the optical sensor. An interrogator is operatively connected to the first end to receive the sensor returns and the FBG returns from the optic fiber. The delay span has a length along the fiber that is configured to create a delay between when the interrogator receives the FBG returns and when the interrogator receives the sensor return.

Abstract: A resistance measurement system includes a plurality of resistors connected in series along a single line. The plurality of resistors includes N resistors. The system includes a plurality of capacitors for at least N?1 of the resistors. Each capacitor is connected in parallel to the single line with a respective resistor to form a respective resistor-capacitor (RC) pair. Each RC pair includes a different time constant such that each RC pair reaches a steady state voltage at a different time. The system includes a current supply connected to the single line to supply a current to the line. The system includes a control module configured to sense a total voltage across the single line and to successively determine resistance of each resistor from the total voltage based on the current, a known total steady state voltage, and known time-to-steady-state-voltages of each RC pair and/or resistors.

Abstract: A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory.

Abstract: A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory.

Abstract: A heatsink system includes a heatsink plate having a first set of slots defined in a first face thereof and a second set of slots defined in a second face thereof opposite the first face. The first and second sets of slots are configured to house phase change material (PCM) therein.

Abstract: A sensor system can include a sensor configured to output raw sensor data, a plurality of processing modules configured to process the raw sensor data from the sensor to output processed sensor data, a state module for each processing module operative to cause a respective processing module to receive and/or process the sensor data, and a control module configured to receive a coded bitstring and activate or deactivate a predefined set of state modules based on the coded bitstring to control which processing modules process the sensor data and/or an order of processing. The coded bitstring can include a plurality of discrete bits less than the amount of processing modules and/or state modules. A plurality of the state modules and/or processing modules can be associated with at least one discrete bit of the plurality of discrete bits such that each coded bitstring corresponds to a predetermined group of state modules and/or processing modules.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a dongle for a sensor system can include a pass-through signal carrier configured to allow signals from a sensor discretely associated with the dongle to pass through the dongle to a data concentrator via a first connection, and a non-volatile memory configured to connect to the data concentrator via a second connection. The nonvolatile memory can include calibration data for the sensor that is associated with the dongle.

Abstract: A Fabry-Pérot sensor assembly includes an optical element defining a Fabry-Pérot optical cavity therein. A ferrule is affixed to the optical element. The ferrule is configured to physically connect to an optic fiber, aligning the optic fiber optically with the cavity. The optical element includes a MgAl2O4 spinel or aluminum oxynitride Al23N27O5. A method of making an Fabry-Pérot optical cavity includes using a ceramic processing etching process to remove material from a first optical member to form the cavity therein, leaving a rim of the optical member surrounding the cavity peripherally. The method includes affixing a second optical member to the rim to enclose the cavity.

Abstract: A system (e.g., a power and communication system for remote components) can include a first wire, a second wire, and a first module operatively connected to the first and second wire. The first module can be configured to output power to and to communicate over the first wire and second wire. The system can include a second module operatively connected to the first module by the first wire and the second wire. The second module can be configured to receive power from the first module and to communicate with the first module over the first wire and/or second wire. The first module can be configured to modify a voltage on at least the first wire to signal to the second module to provide serial communication to the first module via the first wire and/or second wire.

Abstract: A method of controlling an actuator includes transmitting a drive signal to an actuator motor to move a device, including automatically compensating for and rejecting uncertain and unmodeled torque disturbances of the actuator motor. A controller for an actuator includes a processing device configured to transmit a drive signal to an actuator motor to move a device, including automatically compensating for and rejecting uncertain and unmodeled torque disturbances of the actuator motor to perform the method.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a lens is provided. The lens can be used in an imaging platform of a moving platform (e.g., a projectile or guided munition), for example, in a seeker arrangement. The lens can be configured to optical rotation information of the moving platform to an optical sensor as the moving platform moves in space, for example, following a mission profile.

Abstract: A heatsink can include a body, one or more thermal fin arrays defined by and/or extending from the body, and a phase change material disposed in contact with the one or more fin arrays. The phase change material can be configured to be a first phase in a cool state and a second phase in a heated state. The phase change material is configured to be cooled back to the solid state.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a plurality of laser pulses as a pulse train on a plurality of imaging sensor pixels in an array of pixels. For each pixel in the array of pixels, the method includes receiving a respective one of the laser pulse trains, and scanning the pixels response across a range of frequencies with a bandpass filter to determine pulse shape characteristics of the respective one of the laser pulse trains. The method includes filtering out all of the laser pulse trains that do not fit a predetermined pulse shape characteristic for a true target designation pulse train, and physically adjusting trajectory of a physical resource toward a target based on location on the imaging sensor of one or more pixels receiving a laser pulse train that fits the predetermined pulse shape characteristic for the true target designation pulse train.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermal management system for an electronics assembly includes, a reservoir housing a compressible fluid in a compressed state, a throttling orifice disposed in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to expand the compressible fluid, cooling the compressible fluid, and a heat exchange volume in fluid communication with the throttling orifice to receive cooled compressible fluid from the throttling orifice.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a reinforcement structure configured to seat in an air gap between one or more solder balls of a ball grid array of a surface mount packaging component. The reinforcement structure is configured and reduce bending of the circuit board during acceleration of the circuit board.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly can include a circuit component die, a first dielectric layer disposed on a first side of the circuit component die made of a first dielectric material having a high thermal conductivity, a second dielectric layer disposed on a second side of the circuit component die made of the first dielectric material, and a bulk dielectric material having a lower thermal conductivity than the first dielectric material. The bulk dielectric material can have a lower glass transition temperature than the first dielectric material and being heterogeneous to the first dielectric material. The bulk dielectric material can be in flowed contact with lateral sides of the circuit component die, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer to laterally enclose the circuit component die, the first dielectric layer, and the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A system can include a spinning structure configured to spin in operation, and at least one mass operatively connected to spinning structure to rotate about a spin axis with the spinning structure. The at least one mass can be configured to be moved relative to the spinning structure during a spin of the spinning structure. The system can include an actuation system configured to move the at least one mass relative to the spinning structure. The actuation system can be configured to move the at least one mass while the spinning structure is spinning to use the spin of the spinning structure to induce a precession torque on the spinning structure. The actuation system can be configured to synchronize actuation motion of the at least one mass to the spin of the spinning structure such that the induced precession torque is in a desired direction.

Abstract: A system includes an optical pressure sensor. A controller is operatively connected to receive input from the optical pressure sensor. An output connection is operatively connected to communicate output data from the controller. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive data from an optical pressure sensor, detect an accumulation of contaminant on the optical pressure sensor, and initiate a corrective action through the output connection in response to detecting the accumulation of contaminant.